A Beautiful Fish
#1
Posted 25 May 2015 - 12:59 PM
Caught my first five of these beautiful fish yesterday after we setup our boat on Erie for trolling. Just thought I'd share one of the pictures as very little about Salvelinus sps. is seen on this forum and even less about S. namaycush. Such an interesting species and yet so many Lake Erie anglers choose to fish for walleye over these amazing fish that look awesome and fight like sharks! These guys are definitely a dream fish I'd like to keep someday even if they require a several thousand gallon tank with cold water and are hard to transport.
#2
Posted 25 May 2015 - 01:09 PM
Nice fish!
#3
Posted 25 May 2015 - 02:54 PM
People say that they are not very tasty. I wonder how true that is? Awesome fish!
The member formerly known as Skipjack
#4
Posted 25 May 2015 - 03:00 PM
Nice fish!
Thank you!
People say that they are not very tasty. I wonder how true that is? Awesome fish!
I've heard mixed opinions but there's a ton of thick fillets that one could get out of a single fish if they do taste good!
#5
Posted 25 May 2015 - 05:05 PM
"No thanks, a third of a gopher would merely arouse my appetite..."
#6
Posted 26 May 2015 - 01:05 PM
People say that they are not very tasty. I wonder how true that is? Awesome fish!
I've had coho salmon, king salmon, and lake trout caught the same day and then grilled on the same grill. The lake trout turned out rather mushy, whereas the salmon were nice and firm and flaky. The taste wasn't bad, but the texture made it pretty unappealing compared to the salmon.
I've smoked lake trout, and they turn out fantastically. So in my opinion, skip the fresh lake trout and fire up the smoker.
#7
Posted 26 May 2015 - 01:54 PM
Congrats Sean! I've had the addiction to catch them for a long time. They are fun taken via fly rod as well:
Kevin Wilson
#8
Posted 26 May 2015 - 06:20 PM
Sweet! I'd love to tussle with one of those brutes some day!
Thanks! They're definitely the best fighting fish I've ever caught next to some massive sharpnose sharks!
#9
Posted 26 May 2015 - 06:22 PM
I've had coho salmon, king salmon, and lake trout caught the same day and then grilled on the same grill. The lake trout turned out rather mushy, whereas the salmon were nice and firm and flaky. The taste wasn't bad, but the texture made it pretty unappealing compared to the salmon.
I've smoked lake trout, and they turn out fantastically. So in my opinion, skip the fresh lake trout and fire up the smoker.
Good to know, of we caught any salmon I'd probably keep them since they're non native in erie. Although in all honesty I have to admit I wouldn't complain if Erie was an established salmon fishery even though they're non native, just keep all the salmon you catch to keep the population in check , guess that's just the angler in me talking though and I'm glad the lake trout population is coming back.
#10
Posted 26 May 2015 - 06:23 PM
Congrats Sean! I've had the addiction to catch them for a long time. They are fun taken via fly rod as well:
Thank you! Where were you catching them on a fly rod!? Heck I'd like to know where in the US I can catch some without deepwater trolling! I've only ever heard of fly fishing and casting lures for these fish up in Canada.
#12
Posted 27 May 2015 - 07:49 AM
Thank you! Where were you catching them on a fly rod!? Heck I'd like to know where in the US I can catch some without deepwater trolling! I've only ever heard of fly fishing and casting lures for these fish up in Canada.
Sean, the Lower Niagara River has good access from shore and plenty of lakers. There are several public access locations between Niagara Falls and Lewiston. There is a slot limit and seasonal regulations, like any fishery...I target steelhead but these seem to hit often and make for a fun catch and release fishery. They run in the fall to spawn, and again in the spring for the spring buffet before heading out to the lake for the summer. The lakers do hang out there all winter long, if you can brave the tough fishing conditions.
They are a blast on medium spinning or casting gear, spinners, spoons and jigs of all kinds (they love soft plastics too) will take them. The last couple times that I went, I was determined to catch them on the fly and finally did. I got one on a streamer, and several while drifting egg patterns. I'd say for every steelhead that I caught, I'd catch 8 lakers. You have to work for them and figure out how to get your lures down to them since the current is extremely powerful. Picking a good spot is just as important as your lure choice to make that happen. Use the current eddies to figure out the spots to deliver your lure or fly.
I have also caught them off the Lake Ontario piers in the fall. The move in shallow to spawn about the time the salmon are just about done. It's a great time to target them along with browns and steelies. Bring some bass lures too in case warmer waters are blown into shore because the bass fishing can be quite good then. Winds blowing out to the lake will move the warmer waters out, but bring the salmonids in.
Kevin Wilson
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